Sydney, Australia – Sphere has been approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Broad Area BVLOS Self-Assessment framework, marking a major milestone for Australia’s drone industry and reinforcing Sphere’s position as a leader in scalable, real-world BVLOS operations.
The approval allows Sphere to self-assess areas to conduct operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), enabling faster, more flexible, and scalable drone operations across sectors such as mining, utilities, and infrastructure. It reinforces Sphere’s leadership in developing and deploying the systems, processes, and technology that make BVLOS operations practical, safe, and accessible for enterprise use.
At the core of this capability is HubX and HubT, Sphere’s remote operations system that integrates connectivity, power, and control into a deployable platform purpose-built for BVLOS missions. HubX and HubT enables live command and telemetry from the field to the Remote Operations Centre, making true remote drone operations possible at scale.
Elliot Cummins, Chief Remote Pilot at Sphere, highlighted the approval reflects years of work in safety, compliance, and operational excellence.
“This approval is a watershed moment for our business, our clients, and the industry as a whole. It means we’ve built the systems, processes, and mindset to operate beyond traditional limits, so our clients and the industry can deploy with confidence, scale faster, and capture value in places they simply couldn’t before.”
CASA’s Broad Area BVLOS Self-Assessment framework introduces a performance-based model that allows qualified operators to self-assess risk and streamline approvals. With only a handful of approvals granted nationwide, Sphere is helping define the next phase of safe, scalable BVLOS operations in Australia.
Paris Cockinos, CEO of Sphere and recently recognised by The Daily Telegraph as one of Australia’s Top 250 Young Entrepreneurs, said the approval is the culmination of years of innovation and investment in building Australia’s most capable BVLOS ecosystem.
“This approval is a reflection of the years of investment, innovation, and collaboration that have gone into building Australia’s most capable BVLOS ecosystem. It’s not just about flying further; it’s about enabling businesses to operate smarter, safer, and with greater confidence in what’s possible. BVLOS is the future of enterprise drone operations, and we’re proud to be leading that transition right now.”
Cockinos’ recognition among Australia’s top entrepreneurs highlights the momentum behind Sphere’s growth, driven by a focus on local manufacturing, rapid deployment, and practical innovation that underpin its BVLOS capability.
What truly sets Sphere apart is its ability to manufacture, integrate, and deploy rapidly. Sphere can not only guide businesses through CASA’s approval process but, through Sidero Local, also deliver fully operational BVLOS systems on-site within a week. This approval underscores that speed, proving that Sphere can take a client from regulatory readiness to live BVLOS operations faster than anyone else in the market. This end-to-end capability minimises downtime, accelerates deployment, and ensures clients can start real-world missions with full confidence and compliance.
To support organisations preparing for BVLOS operations, Sphere has developed the Broad Area BVLOS CASA Trial Guide, the only comprehensive resource of its kind in Australia and the most efficient way for businesses to understand and navigate CASA’s new framework. The guide outlines the process, key risks, and practical lessons learned from Sphere’s real-world experience.
Beyond regulatory readiness, Sphere’s Flight Operations team delivers full-service BVLOS mission support, from planning and deployment to aerial data capture, processing, and delivery. This combination of compliance expertise, rapid manufacturing, and operational execution ensures clients can move seamlessly from approval to on-site operations.
“CASA’s new self-assessment framework marks the beginning of a new era for Australian drone operations,” said Paris Cockinos, CEO of Sphere. “With our approval secured and systems proven in the field, we’re ready to help organisations fly further, faster, and smarter.”
About us:
About Sphere | Data + Drones
Sphere is a leading full-stack technology and services provider with offices across Australia. We empower businesses, enterprises and governments to effectively respond to challenges, risks and opportunities with innovative drone solutions.
Our cutting-edge drone solutions, capabilities and experienced team propel businesses beyond the horizon, to the skies that have no limits.
Since 2014, we’ve supported over 13,000 businesses, enterprises and government departments with hardware, software, services, operational and compliance support. We take pride in the relationships we have built and continue to maintain, including Rio Tinto, Fortescue, BHP, Ausgrid, Sydney Water, Water Corp, South32, Fyfe, Surf Life Saving NSW, Sydney University, James Cook University, and more.
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With the rise of drone delivery initiatives across the United States — including Walmart’s latest announcement — INVOLI is proud to introduce VistaTrack, a real-time air traffic surveillance service designed specifically to support beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations.
VistaTrack is now live in major U.S. metropolitan areas including Dallas, Charlotte, Orlando, Tampa, Syracuse, New York City, and more — marking the largest infrastructure deployment ever created to support BVLOS drone flights, with over 550 active receivers worldwide.
The system provides real-time aircraft detection, including ADS-B and UAT, and in selected zones, MLAT tracking of Mode S and Mode A/C aircraft — even down to 200 feet AGL. In selected areas detection of ADS-L, FLARM and RemoteID is also available.
VistaTrack powers the INVOLI.live platform and REST API integration, enabling easy access through dashboards, ground control software, or UTMs — no complex setup required.
“With the incertitude in the arrival of Part 108 in the U.S., we wanted to provide an immediate, practical solution for drone companies operating today,” said Manu Lubrano, CEO and Co-Founder of INVOLI. “VistaTrack allows operators under Part 107 or Part 135 to show regulators that they’re mitigating air risk with professional-grade data — making BVLOS approvals far more achievable. In other parts of the world, you can already use VistaTrack to support your SORA applications, and very soon in Europe, it will also be usable in the context of U-space as a Traffic Information Service.”
Built to Scale – U.S. First, Globally Ready
VistaTrack is currently active in:
- United States: Dallas • Charlotte • Orlando • Tampa • New York City • Syracuse • Chicago • Miami • San Francisco • San Jose • Detroit • Palm Springs
- Europe: Germany • Netherlands • Plateau region of Switzerland • London • Dublin • North-East Belgium • South Estonia • Romanian Black Sea Shore
- Australia: Melbourne • Canberra • Brisbane
Deployments are hosted on aviation or towerco infrastructure — for example, on partner Crown Castle sites in the U.S. — or directly at customer premises.
If your drone operation has national ambitions in the U.S. — or even international reach — VistaTrack gives you a major advantage: integrate once and operate seamlessly across all covered regions worldwide.
From Waivers to BVLOS, Lower Air Risk
With VistaTrack, drone operators can:
- Detect manned aircraft traffic in real time at low altitudes
- Set and monitor alert zones for operational safety
- Access live system health and receiver uptime
- Back FAA waivers and CONOPS submissions with hard data
- Comply with SORA and future U-space regulations
Learn more or activate VistaTrack at www.involi.com/vistatrack
Or try it for free via INVOLI.live
About INVOLI
INVOLI is the leading provider of hardware and software solutions for air traffic detection and visualization. The 8-year old award-winning company, with offices in Lausanne (HQ Switzerland) and in Syracuse (NY), has the mission to safely and efficiently open the sky for business for all flying objects and operators, specially at low altitude.
The company’s mixed hardware-software solution combines live data streams with advanced data analytics to unlock the full potential of digital and uncrewed aviation across various industries, from traditional aviation and airports to new forward looking markets including drone-based logistics, emergency and medical delivery, infrastructure inspection, security and tomorrow’s urban air mobility. INVOLI is a part of GENIUS NY, the world’s largest drone business accelerator program.
Media FAQ
- What is the VistaTrack service?
- A real-time data service that helps drone operators avoid all other aircrafts and fly more safely and efficiently.
- What makes it different?
- Professional installation over carefully selected telecom infrastructure
- The full low altitude coverage of a multi million people urban area
- High performance and low latency to support critical DAA (Detect & Avoid) functions.
- Why is this important?
- Much like a Waze app for the skies, INVOLI helps drone operators optimize their operations by knowing their position of air traffic and everyone else’s around. INVOLI means business.
- With more drones flying in our skies, ensuring safety is a growing challenge. This service provides the information needed to prevent accidents.
- What makes it a “world first”?
- It’s the first global, turnkey surveillance service for BVLOS; not a concept, not a demo, but a system drone operators can use today.
Contacts: [email protected]
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Aloft Technologies, a leading provider of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) fleet and airspace management solutions, and uAvionix, a pioneer in command, navigation and surveillance systems for UAS, today announced the integration of uAvionix’s FlightLine ADS-B surveillance network and Casia G ground-based optical detect-and-avoid (DAA) system into Aloft’s Air Boss platform for enterprise UAS Traffic Management (UTM).
This joint innovation sets a benchmark for real-time situational awareness by combining cooperative (ADS-B) and non-cooperative (Detect and Avoid – DAA) aircraft detection into a single operational UTM view. The integration gives public safety teams, commercial UAS operators, and regulatory authorities the tools to safely and confidently manage beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations in increasingly complex airspace such as Drone as a First Responder (DFR) programs.
The combined solution will be demonstrated at AUVSI Xponential 2025 next week, providing attendees with a firsthand look at the future of integrated airspace awareness.
Raising the Bar for Safety, Compliance, and Confidence
Core to the collaboration is a shared vision to make UAS operations safer, smarter, and more scalable. With uAvionix’s low-altitude multi-redudancy FlightLine ADS-B network, users gain access to real-time tracking of cooperative aircraft across the U.S., while Casia G adds ground-based optical sensing for detection of non-cooperative aircraft, such as general aviation aircraft or other UAS lacking ADS-B Out for electronic conspicuity.
This layered surveillance capability for risk management and decision making is now available within Aloft’s Air Boss, the powerful UTM platform trusted by enterprise operators and the FAA to manage airspace compliance and flight approvals.
“Partnering with uAvionix to integrate their advanced ADS-B and non-cooperative detection sensors further strengthens our already robust DAA capabilities within Aloft’s UTM and Air Boss platforms,” said Jon Hegranes, Founder & CEO of Aloft. “This integration elevates airspace safety and operational efficiency, enabling our shared customers and airspace stakeholders to achieve new levels of deconfliction, compliance, and confidence in advanced drone operations.”
“Partnering with Aloft’s market-leading Air Boss platform enables us to deliver our best-in-class sensor capabilities directly into the workflows of UAS operators who depend on accurate, reliable, and timely airspace data,” said Cyriel Kronenburg, VP of UAS and Aviation Networks at uAvionix. “This collaboration represents a meaningful leap forward in drone safety and operational effectiveness.”
Designed for Today’s Needs and Tomorrow’s Airspace
- Enhanced Airspace Safety: A Unified view of cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft improves operator risk management and decision-making.
- Operational Efficiency: Greater situational awareness on a single-pane-of-glass reduces the complexity of managing flights in congested or sensitive airspace environments.
- Regulatory Alignment: Combined capability for detection of cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft supports growing FAA and international guidance for BVLOS and DAA equipage.
Initial deployments of FlightLine, Casia G and Air Boss are already underway in high-density UAS operation zones, validating performance in real-world conditions and demonstrating scalable readiness for nationwide deployment.
See It Live at AUVSI Xponential 2025
Attendees of this year’s AUVSI Xponential in Houston Texas can experience the integrated solution at both the Aloft and uAvionix booths (booths 3613 and 3033), where demonstrations will showcase the Air Boss UTM with FlightLine and Casia G data.
About Aloft
Aloft is the leading airspace management platform, powering the largest and most trusted network of drone operations across commercial, recreational, public safety, and government sectors. Aloft’s innovative UAS Traffic Management (UTM) solutions, including the flagship Air Boss platform, deliver real-time situational awareness, dynamic flight authorization, and comprehensive airspace safety capabilities to enable advanced drone operations at scale. Trusted by the FAA and thousands of enterprise customers, Aloft is dedicated to shaping the future of airspace management, unlocking Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) capabilities, and ensuring safe integration of drones into global airspace. For more information, visit www.aloft.ai.
About uAvionix
uAvionix develops and delivers communications, navigation, and surveillance solutions for crewed and uncrewed aviation in both the civil and defense markets. Its products deliver high-performance, low Size Weight and Power (SWaP) ADS-B, GPS, and DAA capabilities that enable safe and scalable integration of UAS into the national airspace. Learn more at https://uavionix.com.
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A2Z Drone Delivery, Inc., an American aerospace and engineering company advancing commercial unmanned aerial vehicles, today announced that it has entered the process for review of the airworthiness data for its Longtail AirDock Edition commercial drone platform. Already subjected to hundreds of hours of flight safety testing, the Longtail AirDock Edition can operate independently or pair with the company’s networkable A2Z AirDock ecosystem that infinitely extends the range of drone services beyond the horizon with its patented dock design that includes automatic charging capability. Operators interested in acquiring the aircraft can purchase now to secure the most favorable pricing and receive any needed updates following the FAA evaluation for free, or preorder for future deliveries following completion of the process.
A2Z Drone Delivery has developed flight test cards and is in the process of collecting the additional flight test data and creating the documentation necessary to support the rigorous airworthiness review process. The company has also engaged aviation consulting groups to offer guidance on FAA UAS regulations, drafting of flight and maintenance manuals, developing checklists and maintenance schedules, conducting necessary noise testing and environmental assessments, etc. The expert team and A2Z Drone Delivery are currently formulating the Longtail flight and maintenance manuals for FAA review and providing all documentation necessary for Part 135 operators to add the Longtail to operating certificates.
Completing the airworthiness review and evaluation process will enable commercial drone operators to integrate the Longtail into their ongoing commercial delivery operations or seek new Part 107 waivers for package delivery as well as operations over people, roads, or property. Knowing that the aircraft has completed an FAA design and safety review will strengthen applications for repeatable and scalable BVLOS operations, operations over people (OOP), and larger-scale enterprise applications necessitating Part 135 air carrier certificates. While the evaluation may not be a requirement for operations conducted under Part 107 (or the highly anticipated Part 108), these operators may still choose to fly reviewed aircraft to ensure safe, reliable, and repeatable operations.
“We are excited to be working hand in hand with the FAA Emerging Technology Division in Flight Standards as we embark on this process,” said Aaron Zhang, CEO and Co-founder of A2Z Drone Delivery. “Our Longtail AirDock Edition is a capable and mature aircraft design that has been proven safe and reliable through thousands of miles and hours of our own flight testing and is currently in operation with customers around the world. We are undertaking a rigorous testing schedule in anticipation of completing this review to coincide with the evolving regulations that will govern the future of commercial drone delivery and other unmanned enterprise operations here in the United States.”
Longtail AirDock Edition: An Aircraft Engineered to Scale BVLOS Drone Services
The Longtail AirDock Edition offers drone service providers and logistics operators a customizable off-the-shelf, ready-to-fly UAV for last-mile on-demand delivery and other unmanned aerial services. The hexacopter is capable of delivering or retrieving payloads up to 11 lbs./5 kg via its onboard winch over a distance of 12.4 miles/20 km, with its maximum range extended when transporting smaller payloads. These capabilities make the Longtail ideal for local parcel or food delivery, emergency medical deliveries, ship-to-shore delivery, search and rescue operations, law enforcement support, linear inspection, and more.
The Longtail AirDock Edition is a specially modified variant of the company’s proven Longtail airframe designed for integration with its innovative AirDock ecosystem that automatically recharges drone batteries, enabling a fleet of customized Longtails to extend diverse drone-borne services across vast regions and position aerial assets throughout a theater of operation. Integrated with a network of A2Z AirDocks, a fleet of Longtail UAVs can infinitely extend the range of unmanned aerial services throughout an array of networked AirDocks, with the UAVs stopping to top off batteries on longer missions, awaiting new mission assignments, or loading and unloading packages from altitude with the company’s patented RDS2 commercial drone winch. AirDock variants include the AirDock Dual and AirDock Quad, two elevated dock models simultaneously supporting two or four UAVs, respectively. Additionally, two single-drone docking stations include the AirDock Portable, designed for easy transport, and the AirDock Shelter, for operation in extreme weather or for secured housing.
Designed to meet the definition of a small UAS for Part 107 operations, the aircraft with payload meets the 55-pound FAA max takeoff weight. The Longtail is standard remote ID compliant and equipped with factory-integrated remote ID and ADS-B modules; it can also be fitted with a parachute for safer operation over people, roads, and property. Operating independently or with the A2Z AirDocks, the Longtail enables payloads to be deposited safely from up to 100 feet in altitude, where spinning rotors are kept far from people and property.
With the A2Z AirDocks, drone logistics networks, repeatable drone patrol missions, ever-ready law enforcement support drones, and more, can easily expand operational services beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS). A multi-use AirDock network is easily shared between multiple stakeholders, allowing drone service providers, enterprise-level operators, and government agencies to own and operate the drone dock network themselves, or as a partnership between multiple public departments or public/private entities to reduce infrastructure costs. An AirDock network can seamlessly connect multiple points on a closed campus or lay the infrastructure for multiple municipal, county, or statewide drone services to share a dock network supporting AI-assisted patrol, linear inspection, wildfire detection and prevention, search and rescue, and more.
Longtail and AirDock Availability and Pre-Orders
The Longtail AirDock Edition and all four variants of its companion AirDocks are currently available for order. Customers can take delivery of the Longtail and AirDocks now and receive free upgrades for any revisions necessary following the FAA’s review, or pre-order the aircraft pending completion of the FAA process. By placing a preorder now, customers can lock in the most favorable pricing and ensure early access to the Longtail. For pricing and customization details, please contact A2Z Drone Delivery at [email protected].
About A2Z Drone Delivery, Inc.
Headquartered in Torrance, CA, the aerospace capital of the world, A2Z Drone Delivery, Inc. is an American aerospace and engineering company advancing commercial unmanned aerial vehicles. With a core dedication to safety, durability, and reliability, the company designs UAV solutions that enable payload delivery and drone docking at altitude where spinning propellers are kept far from people and property. Founded in 2016 to bring its patented commercial drone delivery winch to market, the company has expanded to offer a suite of customizable, off-the-shelf commercial drone products and services for customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: https://www.a2zdronedelivery.com/.
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“Our investment alongside the new Future of Flight Industry Group will bring together tech experts, drone operators, flying vehicle manufacturers and local communities to identify where change needs to happen.”
With safety at the heart of these advancements, the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) is driving smarter regulation to cut red tape while ensuring high safety standards. It will support the DfT and CAA in enabling faster, integration of drones and flying taxi industries, helping businesses grow and innovate.
This includes consulting on the mandatory use of new electronic conspicuity standards and technologies, which allow aircraft to share their location electronically, helping drones and crewed aircraft fly safely alongside each other. By making approvals quicker and operations more efficient, this will open new opportunities for the industry while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Science Minister, Lord Vallance quote
“These regulatory reforms for drones – requiring all aircraft to share their location – will make drone operations safer and therefore speed up approvals, allowing them to operate near airports and simplifying their use for delivering medical supplies – while unlocking further commercial opportunities.
“This is a practical step to cut red tape and a great piece of progress for the Regulatory Innovation Office, growing the UK’s position as a world leader in emerging technologies and helping drive the growth that will deliver our Plan for Change.”
In addition, as previously confirmed by the Chancellor, plans are now underway to simplify regulations to enable 2-year airspace change for drone operations. This will enable operators to fly safely for longer and gather data to inform future services.
Other changes will simplify regulations to enable emergency services including firefighters and paramedics to use drone services, as well as noise exemptions for drone trials within the Airspace Change Process, and simplifying the drone operational application process to enable them to get flying faster and easier.
Furthermore, the regulator, drone operators, flying vehicle innovators and local authorities will come together with Government at the Future of Flight Industry Group to help guide the government on its mission to transform technology in aviation.
Part of the Government’s Plan for Change, the group will focus on how to unlock the benefits of future aviation technologies to propel the country’s economic growth forward. It will look at how Government can harness the potential of technology and create a culture of innovation, with the aim of improving everyday challenges like emergency across the public sector face, while helping cut carbon emissions.
The Minister for Aviation will co-chair the group, alongside Duncan Walker, CEO, Skyports.
Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports and Co-Chair of the Future of Flight Industry Group, said:
“This additional government funding is a vital boost for the UK’s leadership in next-generation aviation. This investment will accelerate the development and deployment of innovative flight technologies, from complex drone operations to advanced air mobility solutions.
“I welcome this commitment, which will not only drive progress towards a more sustainable and connected future but also deliver significant economic benefits, high-value jobs and export opportunities across the UK. I look forward to continuing to work in close partnership with government and the regulator to turn these opportunities into reality.”
The funding will be divided between the Civil Aviation Authority, receiving £16.5m in 2025/26, to deliver a regulatory programme to enable drones to fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and progress toward routine use of air taxis (eVTOLs) in UK skies.
This includes publishing a piloted eVTOL “roadmap”, development of “drone pathways” for industry to follow and consulting on concept of operations for uncrewed traffic management (UTM) and Detect and Avoid (DAA) technology. This will make it quicker and easier for industry to prove the safety of these new technologies, deliver the necessary digital infrastructure and make sure that people, property and other aviation remain safe and secure when these new technologies fly in our skies.
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said:
“Flying taxis will transform the way we move — making it quicker, quieter, and cleaner to travel, while connecting communities and supporting essential services.
“The UK has an incredible opportunity to lead the world in this new era of aviation, delivering not just greener transport but real economic growth and skilled jobs.
“This latest funding is another welcome step towards seeing that ambition realised and our world-leading aircraft flying in British skies from 2028.”
In addition, the Future Flight Challenge, will receive up to £5 million from the Department for Transport and Innovate UK, to support industry to turn these new technologies into profitable business that benefits communities and support growth. This will include regional demonstrations and supporting development of commercial drone and air taxi solutions.
Mike Biddle Executive Director Net Zero, Innovate UK said:
“Innovate UK is excited to build on the highly successful work of the Future Flight Challenge by working in partnership with DfT through this joint funding. We look forward to working with industry, end-users, DfT, DSIT and the CAA as we accelerate the transition from innovation to commercial operations.”
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The National Police Air Service (NPAS), in partnership with the National Air Traffic Control Service (NATS) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), is embarking on the UK’s most ambitious trial of uncrewed aircraft in support of policing.
The trials will assess the feasibility of using ‘beyond the visual line of sight’ (BVLOS) uncrewed aircraft systems, known as UAS, to work alongside traditional police helicopters and aeroplanes in delivering air support to police forces across England and Wales.
As part of the pioneering project, NPAS has been awarded a position in the CAA’s BVLOS Integration Sandbox.
The CAA is the UK’s aviation regulator, ensuring the industry meets the highest safety standards. Sandboxes are controlled environments where organisations can test and develop new technology against the regulatory framework, helping applicants maximise the readiness of their innovation, and the CAA to evolve regulations.
For NPAS to be awarded a position in the Sandbox is a significant step forward in its Futures and Innovation Programme.
Sophie O’Sullivan, Director of Future of Flight at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:
“These innovative trials mark a significant step forward in integrating drones safely into UK airspace.
“Our goal is to make drone operations beyond visual line of sight a safe and everyday reality, contributing to the modernisation of UK airspace and the incorporation of new technology into our skies.”
As the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services, NATS is also supporting NPAS with the approval of trial airspace for the uncrewed aircraft, plus airspace integration and safety oversight.
Along with the skills and experience of the police aviation team at NPAS, the partnership brings together the very best expertise in aviation safety and air support to explore the potentially exciting opportunities that uncrewed aircraft could offer policing in the future.
Richard Ellis, NATS New Airspace Users Director, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be working with NPAS on what is a pioneering project, both for the future of policing and the wider adoption of drones in the UK. NPAS is combining leading technology with an innovative approach and focus on safety, something that aligns perfectly with NATS’ ambition to enable an integrated airspace for all users. We are hugely excited to be working together to demonstrate this pivotal user case and provide valuable data to the CAA.”
The trials are funded by the Home Office as part of a wider investment into drone technology in policing.
David Walters, Head of Futures and Innovation at NPAS, said:
“As technology advances, so too do the opportunities for police air support. The trial will be operating uncrewed aircraft capable of staying airborne for more than six hours and fitted with mission equipment comparable to those on the existing NPAS fleet. If trials are successful, this will enable delivery of a highly capable blended fleet of police helicopters, aeroplanes and uncrewed aircraft in future years.”
If adopted, the UAS will be flown by qualified NPAS pilots, supported by highly experienced tactical flight officers.
“Nothing replaces the value that the skills and experience of NPAS pilots and tactical flight officers bring to policing,” added David.
“These trials are about enhancing the aviation service delivered by our traditional aircraft and crews and creating a blended fleet which offers even greater capabilities.
“NPAS is highly regarded within the regulatory environment for its high standards of safety and compliance, making it perfectly placed to lead these trials.”
If the concept is proven, the vision is for our highly skilled crew members to pilot the uncrewed aircraft from selected NPAS bases, using the experience and expertise of our tactical flight officers to maximise their effectiveness in delivering successful police operations.
The trials, which are expected to begin in Spring 2025, will be run from an existing NPAS base in the South West region, selected for its unique position to operate over water for aircraft shakedown testing, and then progress inshore once levels of safety assurance have been met.
NPAS is currently working with BlueLight Commercial to procure a supplier for the UAS which is to be trialled.
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Aerial Robotix UAV Services Ltd is a Nigerian company based in Lagos, specializing in UAV Inspections, Surveys, Surveillance, and Mapping services. The company aims to be the partner of choice for promoting Nigerian content and contributing to the Nigerian economy through safe and efficient inspection methods. Aerial Robotix focuses on providing high-quality, flexible solutions while upholding standards of quality, safety, security, and professionalism.
Role Description
This is a full-time on-site role for a BVLOS Pilot – Tekever AR3 at Aerial Robotix UAV Services Ltd in Lagos. The role involves conducting Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights using the Tekever AR3 UAV for inspections, surveys, surveillance, and mapping services.
The succeful candidates will be responsible for ensuring safe and efficient operations of the UAV to meet client needs and project objectives, flight planning, liaising with local manned airspace users.
Qualifications
- BVLOS piloting experience with the Tekever AR3 UAV
- Tekever AR3 type approval from OEM.
- Minimum 100 hours flight time on AR3
- Experience in ISR operations and reporting.
- Experience in conducting safe flight operations in all airspace clssifications
- Technical skills in UAV maintenance and troubleshooting
- Strong understanding of aviation regulations and compliance
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to work effectively in challenging environments
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This mission showcased how drone swarms can communicate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) using a network that includes:
- Drone swarm: A group of drones working together.
- Satellite communication (SatCom): A method for transmitting data via satellites.
- Remote ground control station (GCS): The location from which the drone swarm is controlled.
Mission Details
- Location: Ladakh, India (at an altitude of 4200 meters).
- Control Center: NRT HQ in Bengaluru, India (more than 3000 km away).
- Communication: Seamless communication throughout the mission, including real-time data (telemetry) and information from the drone’s sensors (payload data).
- Latency: The network experienced minimal delays.
Benefits of BVLOS Connectivity
- Remote Operations: This technology allows for drone swarm operations beyond the visual range of the operator.
- Improved Mission Resilience: BVLOS connectivity enables drone missions to continue even in situations where communication might be disrupted.
- Contested Environments: Drone swarms can operate in areas where traditional communication methods might be unreliable.
- Multiple Users: Several users in different locations can benefit from this technology.
- Faster Response Times: Encrypted satellite communication links can significantly reduce the time it takes to react to a situation (OODA loop closure).
Overall Impact
This mission demonstrates the potential of BVLOS connectivity for drone swarms, supporting NRT’s Next Generation Missions & Technologies (NGMT) initiative.
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Helping support the development of integrating Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) into UK Airspace
As part of our work to enable the safe integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAS) flying Beyond the Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) we have developed an airspace policy concept using Temporary Reserved Areas (TRA) of airspace.
To help support the development of the integration of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) into UK Airspace we have launched a regulatory sandbox.
We intend that the integrated Concepts of Operation (ConOps) be trialled by appropriate industry stakeholders to support the ongoing development of CAA policy and understanding of UAS flights integrated with other airspace users. The call is open to individual organisations or consortia working on the development of UA systems operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
Online briefing event
There will be a short briefing event on 10 January 2024 at 14:00 via MS Teams where you will be able to ask questions of the CAA with regards to the application process.
Please register below and you will be emailed joining instructions on the morning of 10 January 2024.
Register for the CAA RPAS Integration Sandbox Online Briefing
Application period
The application period for this sandbox has a staggered approach with three tranches:
Tranche 1
- Closing date 23:59 on Thursday 1 February 2024
Tranche 2
- Closing date 23:59 on Thursday 29 February 2024
Tranche 3
- Closing Date 23:59 on Thursday 4 April 2024
Only those who are accepted into the sandbox trial will be able to establish a trial TRA. This is to ensure that the CAA can manage the trials as a controlled exercise, working closely with all successful applicants to ensure the airspace policy concept and the technical enables required to move the policy forward are proved.
Full details and how to apply are available in this supporting publication:
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The UK’s leading drone operators have called on the Government to change the way uncrewed aviation is regulated, and break down the barriers to uncrewed flight that risk the UK missing out on the ‘drone opportunity’.
The comments come in a new White Paper published by the BVLOS Operations Forum, a consortium of advanced drone and technology companies that are pioneering the use of remotely piloted aircraft ‘beyond visual line of sight’ (BVLOS).
‘South of the Clouds: A roadmap to the next generation of uncrewed aviation’, sets out the industry’s vision of how new types of aircraft, like drones, can be integrated into the UK’s busy skies, and what steps the Government needs to take to make it happen.
Organisations in the Forum are already using drones to deliver cancer treatments and vital medical supplies to patients in remote areas; in search & rescue operations by HM Coastguard; and for conducting infrastructure inspections and monitoring in a more sustainable, safer way. But because government regulations have evolved more slowly than the technologies in this sector, these types of remotely piloted flights are limited to very restricted areas of airspace, making regular commercial services difficult to deliver. ‘South of the Clouds’ presents a collective industry view of how policymakers could address that problem.
“This White Paper has been co-created by the Forum to outline the imperative of uncrewed flight”, said Russell Porter, Chair of the BVLOS Operations Forum and Head of UTM Stakeholder Engagement at air traffic services company NATS.
“The way forward to achieving routine beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations, integrated with other air traffic, will require significant policy change from both the Government and the Civil Aviation Authority.
“While there have been positive developments, not least i n the Future Flight Challenge and the recently published Airspace Modernisation Strategy, this fast-growing sector is adamant we need to go further, faster, if we are to make uncrewed aircraft a safe and effective option in the aeronautical toolbox.”
Among the policy recommendations is a call for all aircraft to be equipped with ‘electronic conspicuity’ technology to show their location – without this, drones would effectively be flying blind to what’s around them – as well as reform of the regulatory system to enable remotely piloted flights in more areas of airspace, rather than restricted or temporary environments.
Also proposed is a roadmap that sets out a vision for how airspace could be managed for uncrewed aircraft in the future, and the steps required to get there, so that those in the industry can plan and invest accordingly.
“With reduced emissions, reduced cost, and improved safety, uncrewed aircraft can achieve extraordinary things that everyone, in all parts of the UK, will benefit from, and BVLOS is key to unlocking that full potential” said Russell Porter.
“The next generation of aviation is coming, and now is the time to act to make it a reality.”
To read ‘South of the Clouds: A roadmap to the next generation of uncrewed aviation’, visit: https://www.nats.aero/sotc
About the BVLOS Operations Forum
The BVLOS Operations Forum is made up of 15 organisations (listed below), all of whom are involved in developing or operating beyond-visual-line-of-sight drone operations.
| Apian | ARPAS-UK | Blue Bear | Bristow | Callen Lenz |
| Flylogix | Maritime & Coastguard Agency | Ministry of Defence | NATS | National Police Air Service |
| National Police Chief’s Council | Network Rail | Sees.ai | Skyports | Windracers |
The Forum was established by air traffic control leader, NATS, to bring drone operators together to learn from each other’s operations, collectively advance safety in uncrewed flight, and support policy makers in developing the policies and regulations that the industry needs to grow.
About NATS
NATS is the UK’s principal air navigation services provider and is split into two main businesses, which provide two distinct services:
- NATS (En Route) plc (NERL) — the regulated business, which provides air traffic management services to aircraft within UK airspace and over the eastern part of the North Atlantic; and
- NATS (Services) Ltd (NSL) — the unregulated business, which provides air traffic control services at many of the UK’s major airports (13 civil and 7 military airfields) and other airports overseas.
NATS is alive to the opportunities that new airspace users present for airspace in the future and has worked closely with early innovators. Safety is always our number one priority, and we are working with increasing intensity to support the growth of this exciting new industry by safely integrating new users into a sustainable, modernised and fully integrated airspace.
For more information visit the NATS website at www.nats.aero
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